The supervision of budgetary enforcement could be more effective
if it is open to all taxpayers, say an article in Oriental
Morning Post. The following is an excerpt:
The "online supervision of budgetary enforcement" by the
Standing Committee of the People's Congress in Sichuan Province has
gained much attention by scholars lately. Starting from August
2005, the local standing committee has linked up with the
provincial finance department so that the congress can have access
to the payment system to check funds allocated to all
departments.
A total of 73.46 million yuan ($9.67 million) in budgetary funds
was found to have been improperly used between June and October
this year. Such a check has enhanced supervision by the people's
congress.
The online supervision has changed the way budgetary enforcement
is monitored. It is now possible to discover and rectify
inappropriate use of public money immediately.
A further step can be taken to enhance the online supervision.
There should be a link not only between the financial department
and the people's congress but also between the financial department
and taxpayers. All taxpayers should be allowed to conduct
supervision of public finances through the Internet.
With the Internet, the restriction of time as well as costs can
be removed. The Internet has provided technical support to realize
this.
Taxpayers are the source of public money. And the combined force
of the public and the people's congress can be more powerful than
that of limited number of deputies. Budgetary supervision by all
taxpayers can be the most effective and best way to prevent
corruption.
(China Daily December 4, 2007)